The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-13
GRANT IN PEACE.
BIZ GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.

BIZ GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.
Written for the indianapolis Journai-Copyriehted
Grant and Hayes.
Grant and Hayes first met in 1865, at the time
of the grand review in Washington. Hayes was
then Congressman-elect. During the next few
years they were always on friendly terms and
after the nomination of Hayes for the presidency
Grant gave him a cordial support. Until the
nominations were made, however, all Grants
influence had been thrown in favor of Conklng
and against Bristow and Blaine. He had de-
clined to allow his name to 60 before the con-
vention, but he naturally took keen interest
in the selection of the candidate who
might succeed him. Conkling had been
mis- especial advocate and defender in the
Senate during the period when many fell
away, while for Bristow he entertained an espe-
cial bitterness He looked upon Brstow as a
Cabinet Minister who had become not only the
rival OF his chief. but the instieator of all the
fierce and personal attacks directed against him
self during the concluding years of his admin
| istration was out of the country, and have
no personal knowledge of the matter lam far
from declaring that Grants feeling was justified
by facts; I simply record the sentiment, which
was one of the most intense he ever knew. For
Blaine, at this time, Grant had luminosity:
he opposed him because he was the competitor
of Conkling.
When, however. Hayes became the candidate
by compromise, Grant was loyal to the party
and to the decision of its representatives. No
one suspected him. and few accused him, of u.s.
ing his Office lIegitimately in behalf of Hayes.
but he made his preference known, and urged
hio
standard bearer In Hayes's letter of acceptance
he pledged himself not to become candidate
for a second term, but afterward feared that this
might be construed as criticism of Grants
course in accepting denomination in 1872. He
therefore wrote to Grant and explained that he
intended no reflection the conduct of his
predecessor, but that. by making second term.
for himself impossible. he hoped to the
support of other and expectart candidates who
would perceive that they also had their oppor-
tunities.
When the first announcement of Tildens cleo
ton was made, day two after the vote,
| Grant, like good citizen, was prepared to ac-
quiesce in the defeat of his party; but the un-
certainty to the result which Immediately
arose made him. Of course, anxious. He invited
important persons in both parties to visit the
disputed States to investigate and report the sit
uation. but their statements were conflicting
| that he determined it would be improper for him
| to form conclusion, much more to offer judg
ment The position ne held during the crisis
| which at times almost threatened civil war, was
| extremely delicate and he resolved in no way to
attempt to affect the result after the election
had occurred and while the decision was yet con-
| tested
The election occurred on the 7th of November
and on the 18th he wrote to me at London 81
| expect to be in England early in July. when
shall hope to see you if my successor has not de-
| capitated you before that The question of sue
cessor is not yet fully determined, nor can it be
until we get the official canvass of the States of
Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida" As the
contest waxed furious he was approached on one
| side and threatened on the other, but could not
beinduced to swerve from the line he had marked
| out for himself. He held that he in way
the judge of the elections. but he was determined
to preserve the peace of the country, and watched
every step and every indication of feeling, North
| and South, with the closest solictude.
Finally, Congress concluded to appoint the
| Electoral Commission and to abide by its decis
| ion. and then Grant felt that he lad a definite
| duty to perform. He approved the appointment
| OF the commission as the only laeans TO avoid
fierce strife, and in spite of the probability that
| candidate. but when. by \ change in the compo-
sition of the Commission. the choice of Repub-
lican became almost inevitable. he was equally
| inflexible in the determination that the decision
should be enforced. In the dilemma into which
the country was thrust Congress was the only
authority that could determine anything, and
the President, Grant held. was the executive of
the congressional will Accordingly he made
| every preparation to carry out that will. which
! ever way it turned. Had Tilden been declared
President by tho Commission Grant would
| suredly have taken every step to inaugurate him
which he afterward took to inaueurate Hayes.
AS to the exact legality of the commission
| doubt II Grant ever expressed an opinion He
did not profess to be a lawyer and was certainly
| IMMERSED in iechnicalites and abstruse reason
ings; but be felt now he had felt about the
| constitutionality of several executive acts dur
ing the war-that they were essential to the
salvation OF the country, and that the Constitu-
ton was devised to secure that end not to cub
vert it. He believed that there no other
practicable way of settling the question at issue
in which both parties would acquiesce; no other
arbitrament but arms. and this he was deter
mined to avert Therefore. when Congress laid
down the law he executed it.
remember talking with Motley on the sub
| ject st the time in London Like most of the
disappointed dsaffected Republicans. Motley
held that Tilden had been elected, but he said
bitterly, that made no difference, for Grant was
in power and he would certainly put Hayes into
place. 1t was an unfair accusation. but not un-
natural suppose in one who thought he had
himself suffered unjustly at Grants hands;
still it showed belief that Grant would
execute his determination The country at
| home had the same belief in his inf1exibility,
and felt that he would carry ont whatever
policy he might adopt, and after it was
; known that he had accepted the decision of the
> Commission both sides breathed freer. They
! knew that whatever happened. there would be
no war. All Americans abroad. Democrats as
well as Republicans, expressed this confidence
often heard political opponents declare they
: were glad that Grant was in power, for, at least
q he would preserve peace; and perhaps there wer.
some who were not sorry to be restrained L
: was no reproach to their courage to submit tx